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Monday, June 8, 2015

Mom's Macaroni and Cheese

There are fewer dishes more 'comforting' than my mom's Macaroni and Cheese.

Sorry (not really), Blue Box Mac-n-Cheese. It is the from scratch variety, and particularly from my mom's recipe collection, that I prefer. Hands down.The secret ingredients to this version: onion and white pepper. Delicious! I once took this dish to a potluck in Tennessee, where Macaroni and Cheese is sacred. It was thankfully very well received and a raving success. So if you are in the mood for macaroni and cheese, try making it from scratch!INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni

3 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup yellow onion, finely diced

3 tablespoons unbleached all purpose flour

2 cups whole milk

1/2 teaspoon salt (more or less to suit personal taste)

1/2 teaspoon white pepper (more or less to suit personal taste)

3 cups (12 ounces) extra sharp cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350F.

Prepare 1.5 quart baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Cook macaroni in boiling, salted water until al dente (firm bite); drain. (NOTE: since the cheese sauce will be added and then baked with the pasta, more moisture will absorb into the macaroni. What some may view as undercooking just a tad will yield a better end product.)

Your Mum´s Macaroni & Cheese looks wonderfully creamy - just like the perfect comfort food to enjoy with family and friends - I am not surprised that you got such raving reviews for this beautiful dish!Andrea

I enjoyed the cheap boxed kind as a kid and the gourmet version in fancy restaurants. Still, I have never made macaroni from scratch or a box - it's been on my culinary bucket list for a while. Thanks Cali :)